An automated dye pattern application system (1) includes a support bed (6) to support a mat or other dye receiving medium (7); perpendicular guide tracks (10, 11) supporting a carrier (9) on which a dye spray head (8) is mounted; stepper motors (12, 13) engaged between the tracks (10, 11), the support bed (6), and the spray head carrier (9) and forming an x-y plotter apparatus (3) to move the spray head (8) in two dimensions over the mat; and a pneumatic dye supply mechanism (4) to supply liquid dye to the spray head (8) and including control valves to actuate the spray of dye from the spray head (8). A dye control computer (5) is interfaced to the stepper motors (12, 13) and valves and controls their operation. Data representing a digitized image is converted to a file of plotter commands to control the motors to scan the spray head (8) over the mat (7) and spray dye from the spray head (8) at selected picture element locations to reproduce the digitized image in a colored dye pattern on the mat (7).